Canada’s women’s national team announced the roster for their prepartory match schedule in Europe this month. The Canadian side will play five games over the next two weeks, three of which will be part of the Cyprus Cup.
\u200bThe Canadian side arrived in Cyprus this week with a healthy group of 24 players. The Canadians will take part in the Cyprus Cup competition starting this coming Wednesday.
\u200bCanada will face Russia on 5 March, Japan on 7 March, Scotland on 10 March and an opponent yet to be named on 12 March. The Scotland match is a friendly and not part of the Cyprus Cup competition. The 2008 Cyprus Cup is a six-team tournament (three teams in each group), so their opponent for the final game on 12 March will depend on the outcomes of the other games.
\u200bOn their way back from the Cyprus Cup, Canada will face top-10 ranked nation France (ranked seventh in the December FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings). Canada has a record of three wins, one draw and one loss against France – all played in Europe. That compares to records of 0-0-1 against Russia, 2-3-3 against Japan, and 1-0-0 against Scotland.
\u200bCanada’s senior women’s team, whose title sponsor is Winners, is currently training full time in Vancouver, BC. In 2007, the Canadian women’s program reached an all-time high in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings – ninth best in the world. The team is the second-highest ranked CONCACAF team behind the United States. Canada is looking to qualify for the Olympic Women’s Football Tournament for the first time in association history.
\u200bCanadian fans and clubs (from all walks of sport and life) are encouraged to send their support to the team via mail (Women’s national team, 580-375 Water Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 5C6), fax (778.330.1396) or email believe@soccercan.ca). Clubs are especially encouraged to mail signed team photos or short video messages.
\u200bCANADA
\u200bJulie Armstrong| F | Delta, BC
\u200bMelanie Booth| D/M | Burlington, ON
\u200bCandace Chapman| M | Ajax, ON
\u200bJonelle Filigno| F | Mississauga, ON
\u200bMartina Franko| D | Squamish, BC
\u200bRobyn Gayle| D | Mississauga, ON
\u200bRandee Hermus| D | Langley, BC
\u200bKristina Kiss| D/M | Ottawa, ON
\u200bKaylyn Kyle| M | Saskatoon, SK
\u200bStephanie Labbé| G | Stony Plain, AB
\u200bKara Lang| F | Oakville, ON
\u200bKarina LeBlanc| G | Maple Ridge, BC
\u200bAlexandra Marton| D | Aurora, ON
\u200bDiana Matheson| M | Oakville, ON
\u200bErin McLeod| G | Calgary, AB
\u200bJodi-Ann Robinson| F | Richmond, BC
\u200bClare Rustad| D/M | North Vancouver, BC
\u200bSophie Schmidt| M | Abbotsford, BC
\u200bChristine Sinclair| F | Burnaby, BC
\u200bMelissa Tancredi| F | Ancaster, ON
\u200bBrittany Timko| D/M | Coquitlam, BC
\u200bAmy Vermeulen| F | Saskatoon, SK
\u200bAmy Walsh| M | St-Hilaire, QC
\u200bRhian Wilkinson| F | Baie d’Urfé, QC
\u200bHead Coach / Entraîneur-chef :Even Pellerud
\u200bAssistant Coach / Entraîneur adjoint :Ian Bridge
\u200bAssistant Coach / Entraîneur adjoint :Bob Birarda
\u200bGoalkeeper coach / Entraîneur des gardiens : Paul Rogers
\u200bTeam Manager / Gérant d’équipe :\u2008Les Meszaros
\u200bStrength and conditioning coach / Entraîneur de force et conditionnement :\u2008Andrew Clark
\u200bEquipment Manager / Gérant d’équipement : Maeve Glass
\u200bAthletic Therapist / Thérapeute athlétique :\u2008Becky Swan
\u200bMassage Therapist / Massothérapeute : Nicole Stephen
\u200bPhysiotherapist / Physiothérapeute : Judy Russell